Khabib Nurmagomedov appears committed to his decision to retire, with the UFC lightweight champion saying the division will be “on fire” later this year - even without him.
The undefeated Dagestani, 32, called time on his celebrated career in October immediately following his successful title defence against interim-champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.
Nurmagomedov, who with the win took his professional record to 29-0, cited the death of his father in July and a subsequent promise he made to his mother as reason not to continue.
However, UFC president Dana White has attempted to coax Nurmagomedov back for one more bout, with the pair meeting during last month's Fight Island in the UAE capital. As of yet, though, Nurmagomedov seems to be intent on staying retired, and says he has no issue vacating his lightweight crown.
In a recent interview with Russia’s Match TV, as translated by RT Sport, Nurmagomedov said: “I’m focused on my own big projects, four or five of them. I have to spend time on them.
“As for my career as a fighter, I don’t want to go into details. Dana’s an honest person; we always had an honest relationship. I think he’ll let the media know the message that I sent him a week ago. It’s not a secret, I just told him how I’d like things to develop, not only related to me, but the lightweight division in general.
“I told [Dana] I don’t want the division to be held up. But on the other hand, fighters have only just been in action and people already understand in general who we’ll see fighting for the title.”
Two major bouts in the division took place at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, with Dustin Poirier defeating Conor McGregor by second-round TKO at Etihad Arena and debutant Michael Chandler seeing off Dan Hooker in the first round.
The UFC looks keen to book a trilogy fight between Poirier and McGregor – the Irishman triumphed in their 2014 clash – although as of yet nothing has been confirmed.
“I know they’re already making plans, I think for around May or June for a title fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “But between who? Dana told me he isn’t done yet. I can say that.
"When I told him the lightweight division needs to move on, he told me he isn’t done. He said to me, ‘When you fly to Vegas at the end of February, we’ll sit down and talk’. Dana needs to make some kind of decision. But whatever the decision, I’ll agree with it.”
That said, Nurmagomedov believes the UFC should anoint Poirier his successor. The American, who has put together a two-fight win streak against impressive opponents since losing to the Russian in 2019, now sits as the division’s No 1-ranked challenger.
“Poirier deserves to be champion, that’s my personal opinion,” Nurmagomedov said. “Look at who he’s fought: Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Max Holloway. He’s fought me, Conor. These are all top fighters, maybe fighters who will end up in the UFC Hall of Fame.
“I think intrigue will appear in the lightweight division as soon as they decide the title fight and eliminator. At the moment, it’s held up and not clear what Dana’s thinking.
“I think it’s going to be on fire in the lightweight division this summer. The lightweight division has always been the most competitive, the most interesting, with big stars. It will take new turns this summer… a new, younger, generation is already coming, plus there’s Chandler, [Charles] Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, a lot of good fighters.
"With that mix, it will be interesting this summer and towards the end of the year.”
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
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Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith
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Name: Thndr
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UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
